Joint Event with APABA, NEDO, and JPAA: JAPAN IP LIVE: AI, Litigation, and Licensing Trends to Watch (15 Jul 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

IN-PERSON PANEL DISCUSSION

JAPAN IP LIVE: AI, Litigation, and Licensing Trends to Watch

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Venue:
Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
Palo Alto, CA

Co-Hosted by:

APABA Silicon Valley’s Intellectual Property Committee
Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Licensing Executives Society – Silicon Valley Chapter (LES-SVC)
NEDO

PROGRAM

This event will feature experts from Tokyo focused on key IP developments in Japan affecting technology, innovation, commercialization, and enforcement across industries.

AI-related inventions in Japan, including how AI-assisted and AI-enabled innovations are being considered under Japanese patent practice and what companies should keep in mind when protecting emerging technologies (Hideyuki Tanaka).
Patent litigation and injunctions in Japan, with a focus on enforcement trends, available remedies, and strategic considerations for patent holders and accused infringers (Naoki Okumura).
Recent developments in licensing in Japan, including practical issues in structuring, negotiating, and managing license arrangements in an evolving legal and business environment (Yoshimichi Makiyama).

Miku Mehta, the U.S. event host, will provide commentary from the U.S. perspective.

SCHEDULE
Networking: 5:30 to 6:00 PM
Presentation: 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Q&A / Additional Networking: 7:30 to 8:30 PM

SPEAKERS

JPAA SPEAKERS

Naoki Okumura (Nakamura & Partners, Tokyo)
Mr. Naoki Okumura is an attorney at law and patent attorney whose practice focuses on intellectual property, corporate legal affairs, and international transactions. He holds an LL.B. from the University of Tokyo and an LL.M. from Duke University, and is admitted to the New York State Bar. He has extensive experience in patent litigation, trade secrets, and related IP matters, and has published and lectured widely on these topics.

Yoshimichi Makiyama (Ripple Law Firm, Tokyo)
Mr. Yoshimichi Makiyama is an attorney admitted in Japan and New York, with extensive experience in corporate, intellectual property, and international legal matters. His background includes Ripple Partners, Microsoft Asia, and Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York. His practice covers areas such as IT, data protection, ESG, antitrust, and cross-border transactions, and he has authored numerous publications on emerging legal issues including AI and data protection.

Hideyuki Tanaka
Hideyuki Tanaka is a patent attorney whose practice focuses on patent prosecution and intellectual property consulting for companies. He was engaged in research and development at Fuji Electric Co., Ltd, where he made numerous inventions. After that, he worked in the IP department of the company and was qualified as a Japanese Patent Attorney. He has extensive experience in the fields of science and technology and intellectual property, and he has published and lectured widely in these fields.

Masahiko Matsuno (Nakamura & Partners, Tokyo)
Masahiko Matsuno is an attorney at law and patent attorney focusing on intellectual property, unfair competition, international trade, litigation, and dispute resolution. He graduated from University of Tokyo Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo School of Law, and UCLA School of Law (Magna Cum Laude). He trained at Baker & Hostetler LLP (Washington, D.C.) and worked for a global apparel company. He lectures at University of Tsukuba and has written articles and given seminars in patent law, design law, and litigation. He is qualified in Japan as well as New York.

U.S. COMMENTATOR

Miku Mehta (Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP, Palo Alto)
Miku (US Patent Attorney, Partner) focuses his practice on patents, designs, trademarks, brand protection and export control. His technology areas include software/AI, hardware, networks, energy/environmental, optics, and telecommunications. Miku double majored in Systems Engineering and Environmental Sciences, worked in industry as an environmental engineer and then a software engineer, and ran an outdoor adventures business while in law school. He leads Procopio’s Intellectual Property and Asia Pacific practices.

Click here for additional event information.

2026 Annual Hike: Explore Nature and Network with LES-SVC (19 Aug 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Leave the office behind!
Explore Nature and Network with LES-SVC

Wednesday, August 19, 2026
4:30-5:30pm | Hiking
5:30-7:00pm | Networking

Join the Silicon Valley Chapter on a fun hike in Palo Alto's Arastradero Preserve. Then move to Rossotti’s Alpine Inn in Portola Valley for a social get-together.

You can register for FREE for either the hike/social event or the social event only. Even though the event is free, we request that you register so that we can get an idea of how many hikers (approximately) and how many will be joining us for the networking & social.

HIKING (Optional)
Palo Alto's Arastradero Preserve Hike
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Meeting at parking lot at 4:15 pm, leaving promptly at 4:30pm.
1530 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto

Arastradero Preserve - Link to Parking Lot

Calling all beginners to experienced hikers! Take a break from the office and lace up your hiking boots or tennis shoes to explore the beautiful Arastradero Preserve trails around Portola Valley. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat!

WAIVER REQUIRED FOR HIKERS: Hike participants are required to sign a waiver to participate. Please download the waiver using the link below, sign and bring with you on the day of the event. Hard copies will also be available at the hike. CLICK TO PRINT WAIVER

REGISTER HERE

NETWORKING & SOCIAL GET-TOGETHER

5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Rossotti’s Alpine Inn
3915 Alpine Rd, at Arastradero Rd., Portola Valley, CA
(Parking at Rossotti's – see below)

See you at Rossotti's Alpine Inn – whether you're coming straight from our scenic hike or joining us after work for networking and socializing in a beautiful setting (some of our SVC Board members will be in attendance to greet you).

Please note, attendees are responsible for their own food and beverage expenses. See parking availability below.

Parking: Rossotti’s encourages guests to carpool, utilize ride share, horseback ride in, or bike in. All guests who arrive in a full car with 4+ adults will either receive front-row parking or a coupon for a free pitcher of beer if the front-row parking is full. The parking lot is staffed with attendants. Be mindful of parking on public roads. Please do not park vehicle in any way that blocks bikers and other vehicles. Cars parked over the white line on public roads can be ticketed and/or towed.

Licensing Executives Society-Silicon Valley Chapter upcoming events

Joint Event with APABA, NEDO, and JPAA: JAPAN IP LIVE: AI, Litigation, and Licensing Trends to Watch (15 Jul 2026)

JAPAN IP LIVE: AI, Litigation, and Licensing Trends to Watch

2026 Annual Hike: Explore Nature and Network with LES-SVC (19 Aug 2026)